2026 (Current Year) Faculty Courses School of Materials and Chemical Technology Department of Chemical Science and Engineering Graduate major in Chemical Science and Engineering

Frontiers of Chemical Science and Technology V

Academic unit or major: Graduate major in Chemical Science and Engineering
Instructor(s): Yutaka Abe / Takashi Matsuda
Class Format: Lecture (HyFlex)
Media-enhanced courses: -
Day of week/Period (Classrooms): Intensive
Class: -
Course Code: CAP.T427
Number of credits: 100
Course offered: 2026
Offered quarter: 3-4Q
Syllabus updated: Sep 29, 2026
Language: Japanese

Syllabus

Course overview and goals

【Overview】
In this lecture, we will invite experts from fields related to applied chemistry that differ from university-based research and education, such as commercialization, intellectual property, and government-related work, to introduce these topics.

【Objectives】
The aim of this lecture is to provide an opportunity for students to understand the role that applied chemistry plays in real-world applications, such as commercialization, intellectual property, and government-related work, in addition to university research and education. This will help students broaden their perspectives and consider various possibilities for their future career paths. Furthermore, the lecture aims to help students learn about the concrete connections between academia and society.

Course description and aims

Students will understand the role of applied chemistry in the real world and the various career opportunities it offers, as well as gain a concrete understanding of the connections between academia and society.

Keywords

Applied Chemistry, Intellectual Property Rights, Career, Commercialization

Competencies

Specialist skills
Intercultural skills
Communication skills
Critical thinking skills
Practical and/or problem-solving skills

Class flow

阿部裕先生: 食品添加物のレギュラトリーサイエンス
松田孝司先生：青森県六ケ所村の原子燃料サイクル施設はなぜ必要か

Course schedule/Objectives

	Course schedule	Objectives
Class 1	"Regulations on Food Utensils, Containers, and Packaging in Japan" Have you ever considered the safety of items such as chopsticks, plates, cooking utensils used during meals, or the containers and packaging that wrap the food we commonly purchase? In this lecture, we will introduce Japanese laws and standards related to food utensils, containers, packaging, and the regulatory science research associated with them. Together with Lectures 2 and 3, this will provide an opportunity to reflect on the everyday items that surround us.	To understand Japanese laws and standards related to food utensils, containers, packaging, and the regulatory science research associated with them.
Class 2	How much processed food do you consume from convenience stores or supermarkets? Many food additives are used in processed foods. Have you ever thought about the safety of the food additives you regularly consume? In these lectures, we will explain the laws and standards related to food additives in Japan, from their history to the current situation. Additionally, we will introduce regulatory science research related to food additive standards, with a particular focus on research in analytical chemistry.	To understand regulatory science research related to the standards of food additives, with a focus on research in analytical chemistry.
Class 3	The same as above	The same as above
Class 4	Lecture 1: "What is the Nuclear Fuel Cycle?" This lecture will provide an overview of each cycle project, from uranium resource mining and refining to U-235 enrichment, fuel fabrication, nuclear power generation, spent fuel reprocessing, MOX fuel production, plutonium thermal power generation, and radioactive waste treatment and disposal. It will also explain the current status of Japan Nuclear Fuel Limited's (JNFL) operations in Rokkasho, and the significance of spent fuel reprocessing in Japan's nuclear energy utilization, including its historical context.	To understand significance and details of nuclear fuel cycle.
Class 5	Lecture 2: "Technology of the Rokkasho Nuclear Fuel Cycle Facility" The JNFL facility in Rokkasho, Aomori Prefecture, incorporates optimal technologies from both domestic and international sources. In particular, the reprocessing process utilizes many chemical engineering techniques, such as the dissolution of uranium and plutonium in nitric acid, solvent extraction, evaporation, and rectification. This lecture will explain the technologies and equipment used in these processes, as well as safety measures reflecting the Fukushima accident and international agreements regarding nuclear materials specific to nuclear fuel handling.	To understand chemical principles of nuclear fuel recycling technoloogies employed in the actual Rokkasho Reprocessing Plant.
Class 6	Lecture 3: "Domestic and International Trends in Nuclear Energy Utilization" This lecture will provide an overview of the situation in France, a leading country in nuclear fuel cycle facilities, the development of nuclear power for AI data center power supply in the United States, and the current state of nuclear reintegration in various European countries. Furthermore, Japan's 7th Strategic Energy Plan, to be released in February 2025, reaffirms its basic policy of maximizing the use of renewable energy and nuclear power, and promoting the nuclear fuel cycle. This lecture will explain how these plans will be specifically implemented going forward.	To understand domestic/international trends in nuclear energy utilization related to nuclear fuel cycle.

Study advice (preparation and review)

Textbook(s)

No specification.

Reference books, course materials, etc.

No specification.

Evaluation methods and criteria

Attendance at all classes is mandatory in principle, and attendance will be checked in each session. Grading will be based on reports.

Related courses

CAP.T423 ： Frontiers of Chemical Science and Engineering I
CAP.T424 ： Frontiers of Chemical Science and Engineering II
CAP.T425 ： Frontiers of Chemical Science and Engineering III

Prerequisites

No specification.

Other

1st Session:
Date/Time: October 7, 2026 (Wed): 10:45-12:25, 13:30-17:05
Lecturer: Dr. Yutaka Abe (National Institute of Health Sciences)
Format: HyFlex lecture
Venue: Yokohama Campus in-person, O-okayama online (lecture room: TBD)
The classroom information will be announced on LMS as soon as it is finalized.

2nd Session:
Date/Time: December 2, 2026 (Wed), 8:50-12:25, 13:30-15:10
Lecturer: Mr. Takashi Matsuda (Japan Nuclear Fuel Liimited)
Format: HyFlex lecture
Venue: O-okayama Campus in-person, Yokohama online (lecture room: TBD)
The classroom information will be announced on LMS as soon as it is finalized.